If I'm not mistaken, the 270EX is E-TTL only, and has no manual control. That limits your options a bit, and probably won't allow it to work with regular triggers. Finding a few used 420EX or 430EX is a much better idea IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by qu1cks1lver56

Those Shootout bags look really nice, I want one.

edit:

How big is the Medium? I want/need a decent sized bag with lots of storage but I don't want something too huge either, no storage room in a regular cab truck.

It's sitting beside me, looks to be around 18" tall and 15" wide. It's not too terribly bulky, but not tiny by any means. Before my latest gear reorganization I was carrying the following in mine:

The tripod holder is kinda wonky, and my tripod is HUGE. I generally just used the outside front "pocket" for small item storage. I'd slip my monopod inside one of the side carry handles and cinch it down with one of the compression straps. I leave the hip belt off unless I'm carrying it over a long distance or a walking shoot, for day to day use it just gets in the way. The stowable shoulder straps are great for when it's doing duty on the front seat of my car, which it fills up nicely and doesn't slide around while I drive like a nutcase.

Cons are that it can get a bit on the heavy side when stuffed to capacity, and carrying a lot of camera gear limits its laptop space. Though I bought the bag with the intention of carrying a laptop in it all the time, I rarely ever do it, and carry my computer in another case if feasible. Extra weight is easily distributed with the hip belt and load leveler straps though.

If I'm not mistaken, the 270EX is E-TTL only, and has no manual control. That limits your options a bit, and probably won't allow it to work with regular triggers. Finding a few used 420EX or 430EX is a much better idea IMO.

It's sitting beside me, looks to be around 18" tall and 15" wide. It's not too terribly bulky, but not tiny by any means. Before my latest gear reorganization I was carrying the following in mine:

The tripod holder is kinda wonky, and my tripod is HUGE. I generally just used the outside front "pocket" for small item storage. I'd slip my monopod inside one of the side carry handles and cinch it down with one of the compression straps. I leave the hip belt off unless I'm carrying it over a long distance or a walking shoot, for day to day use it just gets in the way. The stowable shoulder straps are great for when it's doing duty on the front seat of my car, which it fills up nicely and doesn't slide around while I drive like a nutcase.

Cons are that it can get a bit on the heavy side when stuffed to capacity, and carrying a lot of camera gear limits its laptop space. Though I bought the bag with the intention of carrying a laptop in it all the time, I rarely ever do it, and carry my computer in another case if feasible. Extra weight is easily distributed with the hip belt and load leveler straps though.

All in all, I do recommend.

wow, sounds like what i need. enough room for all i own and room to expand.
throw a couple bodies, 3 lenses, sb-600, some filters, cables, a charger, a notebook, and some other small junk, would you say there's enough room to fit a 15" macbook pro comfortably?

__________________
"Originally posted by what the heck?:
AND I AM NOT HAVING SEX WITH A FOOT"
ST-A: Car Audio - doonk doonk doonk boom boom

I would hope so. Mine fits my 15.4" PC notebook alright. You can mess around with how deep the equipment tray sits inside the backpack body to make more or less room for a laptop. If you don't have pro or gripped bodies it will give you a lot more room as well.

So, I just got a d300s, I'm quite exicted... However, my first 400 pictures all came out garbage. I was shooting in little to no light without flash at f4 so I'm not that surprised. Any tips to reduce grain without destroying quality? I'm sure I should know the answer to this, but I don't. the d300s's high ISO noise is a bit dissapointing... Then again, if I wanted something to handle high ISO I'd buy a d3s.

P.S. I'm not trying to do 6' by 4' prints here...

ALSO!!!!
I'm looking for a cheap speedlight as I've spent close to 1900 on the d300s after RI sales tax, Mac Warrinty and all this other junk I don't need (lens cleaning solution).

Also, I feel like the d7000 is more bark than bite. I had a four hour conversation in store comparing the nikon d300s to the d7000 pros and cons wise. I decided in the end I'd get more use out of the d300s but I could have been fooling myself.

Paintball, Senior Portraits, a lot of B&W. I'm trying to broaden my horizon to other sports and photographing events such as marathons. Also, I do little to no post processing which is becoming something I can no longer avoid looking into. I was working for a small company that had a guy who they hired to psot process my work so I got to be a lazy bastard who took credit for another mans work. It was beautiful... Now I'm trying to start my own company.

If I'm not mistaken, the 270EX is E-TTL only, and has no manual control. That limits your options a bit, and probably won't allow it to work with regular triggers. Finding a few used 420EX or 430EX is a much better idea IMO.

It's sitting beside me, looks to be around 18" tall and 15" wide. It's not too terribly bulky, but not tiny by any means. Before my latest gear reorganization I was carrying the following in mine:

The tripod holder is kinda wonky, and my tripod is HUGE. I generally just used the outside front "pocket" for small item storage. I'd slip my monopod inside one of the side carry handles and cinch it down with one of the compression straps. I leave the hip belt off unless I'm carrying it over a long distance or a walking shoot, for day to day use it just gets in the way. The stowable shoulder straps are great for when it's doing duty on the front seat of my car, which it fills up nicely and doesn't slide around while I drive like a nutcase.

Cons are that it can get a bit on the heavy side when stuffed to capacity, and carrying a lot of camera gear limits its laptop space. Though I bought the bag with the intention of carrying a laptop in it all the time, I rarely ever do it, and carry my computer in another case if feasible. Extra weight is easily distributed with the hip belt and load leveler straps though.

Hey guys, so I've decided that I'm going to splurge a bit and get myself a camera for Christmas. I've wanted to get into photography for a long time now and I finally have a solid enough job that I can do so. So my question is, what's a good entry level setup? I was looking at the Canon Rebel XS and Nikon D40, but I'm not too sure what else there is in that price range (I don't want to spend too much, in case I end up not enjoying it). Any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

an xs is a great camera. if you are wanting to splurge then you can get a t1i + kit lens for pretty cheap even from retailers during the holiday season.

The nikon d40 doesn't have a built in AF motor so you won't be able to use older glass that doesn't have a motor in it. So if you want to take the next step in photography and get a couple of lenses you aren't able to use the cheaper but good options from Nikon.

If you want to go entry level for now then get a canon rebel and then see what happens. If you want to jump in deeper you can pick up a used 30d or 40d for the cost of a newer rebel and I would suggest that if you are going think you'll like it. And if you don't you bought used and then you can sell it for about how much you bought it for. If you buy a NEW camera and figure you don't like it you'll take a bigger hit. Like a t1i was $799 brand new and now their used value is right around $500ish.

thanks reddog, i'll probably be sticking with the shootout backpack then, and still with the mini, from the pictures it should carry everything i have, and like b_ron said, i also don't carry all that i have around with me.

im bout to pull my hair hair out figuring out a camera to get. im lookin for somethin to use from field to in the woods. ive been researchin but its all a different language when it comes to features and such. im lookin to spend around $700-$800. all the helps appreciated. thanks fellas